Retro Jockstrap Sighting... Fonzie Jumps The Shark

JohnDoeXXXm

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Jumps 1.JPG
Fonzie 2.JPG
Fonzie 3.JPG
Fonzie 4.JPG
When a television show has been around a little too long, the go-to plan for the show's writers used to be to have a couple of the characters get married, or have a child. Even worse, have one of the main cast do something completely out of character, or so outlandish that the ratings period is won. When it happens, it's usually a good indication that some of the cast members are soon to leave the show, or the show itself is soon to get cancelled. Of course, this doesn't happen too frequently in current programs, since more entertainment competition has meant a shorter production run, and a mega-hit with a long run which needs refreshing is much more rare.

In TV terms, this has come to be known as "jumping the shark." Why? Because back in the late 1970s the TV show HAPPY DAYS had it's lead motorcyle-riding, leather jacket wearing hood, Mr. Arthur Fonzarelli himself, jump a live shark on water skis. Why? In season one, he performed a daredevil jump on his motorcycle in a parking lot back home in Milwaukee, WI. (Ever ask yourself why there would even be a character like this living in Wisconsin, and not out east?) Probably the same reason that he keeps both his leather jacket and boots on while laying on the beach on a hot sunny day!!

SO why not assume that this street thug should be able to accomplish the same thing on water skis? It's pretty preposterous- but this was 70s television, and it was entertaining at the time. There are a couple good videos about "Jumping the shark" on YouTube, including an interview with Henry Winkler where he talks about it.

Search a little bit more, and you'll find the upload of the episode. The Cunningham family, with friends in tow, jet off to a family vacation in Hollywood, California. The episode opens with the plane touching down at LAX as the opening theme ends, and we immediately see the guys (Richie, Fonzie, Potsie and Ralph) head off to the beach to settle in for a little bikini babe watching.

If you keep your eyes on the couple directly behind Richie, the guy in the dark burgundy shorts spins around his girlfriend (in the blue bikini) a couple times, then sits down directly behind Richie, with his back to the camera. As he leans down and sits Indian style, you see his shorts slide down and the band of his jockstrap come up in back. It moves enough that just momentarily you can see the band fully above the back of the shorts. His band is exposed thru the rest of that first scene. Jumps 1.JPG
Jumps 1.JPG
Fonzie 2.JPG
Jumps 1.JPG
Fonzie 2.JPG
 
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JohnDoeXXXm

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Has anyone else ever seen a strap shown like this as a costuming choice? It's funny that they put the guy directly behind the leads as background atmosphere. If the director had noticed it he could have switched the kid for another guy, or had him sit differently, or remove the strap. Just goes to show that seeing an occasional strap under swim shorts was apparently a lot more common. I can only think of my older bro who would wear his under shorts when he would play tennis, or kick his soccer ball around.
 
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sdbg

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Just goes to show that seeing an occasional strap under swim shorts was apparently a lot more common.
I grew up near Atlantic City, NJ, and went to the beach every summer during the '60s and early '70s. Jock strap bands were seen above the waistband of the shorts and swimsuits here and there. Some of my uncles wore them under their swimsuits. One of my good friends and I bought squarecut swimwear in 7th grade just before school was done in June. I wore them to the beach as is; he wore a jock under his.

I left the east and moved to AZ in 1974. I rarely saw a jock waistband in AZ. Most of the guys wore briefs instead.
 
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JohnDoeXXXm

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A bygone era, I remember seeing a few times when I was younger. But that’s why I thought it was kinda cool to see show up on a national tv sitcom. Not only was it shot on location, the dude sat directly behind the lead actors right at the top of the show. No one noticed lol
 
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